What Exercise means to you…

We need a mascot to spread the word about exercise and what exercise can do for you. Suggestions coming in have included the Road Runner, a Cheetah, an Impala or a red squirrel called Frisky. All these suggestions have merit and may be that presence we are looking for. Smokey Bear represents making good choices in the forest. Good choices in a forest help prevent forest fires. A mascot for making good choices with ones health is a tough order and I am convinced we need one. 

To come up with a mascot, we need to know what the mascot represents. Fit the mascot with the meaning so that the mascot’s presence motivates people. So what does exercise mean to you? In the words on “Mr.T” is it pain, or in the words of Alan Thomas is it great fun! I lean toward Alan Thomas’ view – but the question is – which way do you lean.

Here are a few ideas of what exercise does for you: reduces your risk of having a stroke, helps burn excess calories, improves your physical appearance, improves your self esteem, helps you burn fat, improves mental alertness, reduces your anxiety level, can help improve short-term memory in older people, assist in efforts to stop smoking, increases density and breaking strength of your bones and slows the rate of joint degeneration in people with osteoarthritis. 

Do any of these ideas help motivate you to make that hardest step…the first one?

Are there other ideas of what exercise means to you? Let me know your thoughts. 

Study after study is published demonstrating what positive affects exercise has on our overall health. 

Example after example of people who make up their minds to make a positive change in their life are shared to hopefully motivate others. The sports writer for the Valdosta Daily Times, Bryan Fazio, is a perfect example of what is accomplished when exercise is introduced into ones life. 

Other events coming up include a series of Cross Country races that are available every Thursday evening starting at 7 PM at Freedom Park. The first Thursday was July 12th and ends on August 9th. There is a 1 mile event every week and the 5K event immediately following the 1 mile. This event is open to all-comers; there is no cost, no frill event. Middle School, High School and College runners as well as fitness runners of all ages would certainly benefit from the opportunity this presents. You are invited to come and enjoy. This series is only available with the cooperation of the Valdosta-Lowndes Park and Recreation Department and Get Active – Running and more.

VSU Centennial 5K is being presented for its 2nd year on August 18th. Applications are available at the VSU Recreation Department web site. 

Kevin’s Race to End Cancer is a new event to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society and their event will be held on August 25th in Valdosta. The event includes a 5K, 2 mile and 1mile. 

Winnersville Triathlon will be held on 09/08/07 and starts at 7:30 AM. Flyers are available now. The distances include 0.25 mile swim, 14 mile bike and 3.6 mile run. Many are in training for this local Valdosta event; you too can be a part. If you are not comfortable with all three events, there is a relay offered as well. The YMCA Valdosta is offering help on the swimming preparation – check with them on what they are offering. Get your family or friends together and each takes a leg of the event. Keep listening to NewsTalk 105.9 FM WVGA on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7PM, to get updates and training suggestions/opportunities. On August 29th, one of the organizers will be the guest and the topic will only be about the triathlon starting at 6PM. 

Wendy’s and Wild Adventures are teaming up to present the Wendy’s 5K Wild Adventures Run for Adoption to be held at Wild Adventures Theme Park. September 29th needs to be set aside for you and the family to be involved with this event. 

There are weekly, free activities for the runners and cyclists in the area. Runners can show up at Get Active on Saturday and Sunday morning at 7AM for runs from 1.5 to 8 plus mile runs. Thursday morning is a women’s ONLY run, and the other runs are all-comers. Cyclists can meet for rides on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, check out the web page at www.azaleacitycyclists.com. 

Do you have results you want to share about yourself, a loved one or friend? Send, email or call the information in to me at Get Active – Running and more. 

If you have questions about your walking, running or other training, drop me an email and I will do my level best to answer your questions. Check out www.getactivevaldosta.com to get connected. Listen to the Get Active South Georgia radio show on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7PM on NewsTalk 105.9 FM WVGA to receive additional information or to ask questions.

Thank you,

Todd & Alice Smoot

GET ACTIVE 
Running and more

GET ACTIVE SOUTH GEORGIA as heard on NewsTalk 105.9 FM WVGA Wednesdays
6 to 7 PM - call into the show at 229-241-1059
GET ACTIVE SOUTH GEORGIA  as read weekly in the Sunday VDT - look for us
www.getactivevaldosta.com
3200-C North Ashley Street
Valdosta, GA 31602
229-219-0010
229-219-0012 (F)

In the long run, one must have goals to succeed.

"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift" Steve Prefontaine